Warm weather attracts gym goers at Minami Community Center

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Joseph Holicky loves playing basketball at this gym.

"I love this gym I used to play this gym growing up it’s memorable," said facility specialist Holicky of the Santa Maria Rec and Parks Department.

So he was especially excited when the city’s gym inside the Minami
Community Center re-opened for the first time in seven years.

"And just sharing this with Community system I love it’s just really exciting," said Holicky.

Over the years the popular gym underwent several renovations.

"We just couldn’t afford to keep it open so after after many years and in
re-structuring and Re-organizing some funding I were able to get it back
open," said services manager Dennis Smitherman of the Santa Maria Rec and Parks Department.

Managers say kids in the 6th to 12th grades can participate in a variety
of sports and activities at no cost.

"Really excited to have the center back open for activities
everything there from organized games for youth ... free gym time as well as a
free gym time for adults," said Smitherman.

As the weather gets warmer managers days it’s not a bad place to go to cool
off.

"Playing basketball on one of these outdoor courts can sometimes get a
little toasty so … being inside for us it’s a little bit big and being
somewhere else sometimes we get out of the heat to go inside and play ball," said Smitherman.

"My hope Is to get this gym for and just get a Community in here to play
like that’s my excitement that’s what we’re trying to push for," said Holicky.

The gym inside the Minami Community Center is open on weekdays Monday through Friday.